Touch-Sensitive Stylus Input With Haptic Feedback Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic styluses lack intuitive and effective methods for user interaction and input control, particularly when used with touch-sensitive displays, as they often rely on buttons or switches that do not provide nuanced feedback.

Innovation Solution

An electronic stylus with a touch-sensitive input region and a haptic feedback device that classifies user contact types and provides corresponding haptic feedback, allowing for more intuitive control and input to computing devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If buttons or switches are used for input control, then the stylus can provide input control functionality, but the user interaction lacks intuitiveness and nuanced feedback

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction intuitivenessVSAvoidfeedback information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback loop where the haptic feedback device provides tactile responses to user touches on the touch-sensitive input region. The system detects touch events, processes them through the stylus controller, and generates corresponding haptic feedback, creating a closed-loop interaction that enhances user awareness and control precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical buttons or switches with a touch-sensitive input region that detects user input through capacitive or other touch sensing mechanisms. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear, reduces complexity, and enables more nuanced touch detection while integrating seamlessly with the electronic stylus structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a touch-sensitive input region is added to the stylus, then user interaction capability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput control capabilityVSAvoidstylus structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the touch-sensitive input region directly into the stylus body structure, combining multiple functions (touch sensing, haptic feedback, stylus operation) into a single integrated device. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture while expanding functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch-sensitive input region serves multiple purposes: it detects user touches for control input, works in conjunction with the haptic feedback device for enhanced interaction, and can potentially detect different touch patterns (tap, hold, swipe) for varied commands. This multi-functionality increases adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If haptic feedback device is activated with differentiated characteristics, then user feedback precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact type classification precisionVSAvoidstylus energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The haptic feedback device operates dynamically, adjusting its activation and characteristics based on the detected contact type. Different haptic patterns are applied for different touch events (e.g., light tap vs. firm press), optimizing energy usage by applying only the necessary feedback intensity for each specific interaction scenario rather than continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters of the haptic feedback device based on the classified contact type. The stylus controller modulates haptic feedback characteristics (intensity, duration, pattern) according to the detected touch event, enabling precise differentiation of contact types while managing energy consumption through selective and variable activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12517595B2Touch-sensitive input region for electronic stylus

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

An electronic stylus includes a stylus body, a touch-sensitive input region disposed along at least a portion of the stylus body, a haptic feedback device, and a stylus controller configured to receive an indication of user physical contact with the touch-sensitive input region. The user physical contact is classified as a recognized contact type of a plurality of different recognized contact types, based at least in part on one or more touch context parameters. The haptic feedback device is activated with predefined haptic characteristics corresponding to the recognized contact type, and differing from predefined haptic characteristics corresponding to other recognized contact types of the plurality of different recognized contact types.